The 52-year-old said he had been offered a number of opportunities but felt he needed a break from the game.

He added: “It was important for me to take a little bit of time to reflect on what had happened, and I’ve enjoyed my time, I’ve used it very well. I’ve been offered a lot of jobs, I’ve been very thankful for that and appreciative.

“When I got the phone call the other day – I think I’ve been itching now for a little bit and thought ‘it’s probably about time to go and take the next one when it’s offered’.

News Hull head coach Nigel Adkins said he was ready to return to management for the first time since leaving Sheffield United (Richard Sellers/Empics)

“These things are there and it was about time to take the plunge back into the world of football management.”

Adkins twice guided Scunthorpe to promotion from League One and steered Saints to the Premier League in 2012 but was dismissed halfway through the following season.

Slutsky, the first Russian to manage an English club, was appointed by Hull last summer following the club’s relegation from the top flight.

But the former CSKA Moscow and Russia national team coach left the club three points above the bottom three.

Ipsoregulated

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